Cliff Floyd

[BroknArrw]

Went to the game last night in Philly and as usual Cliff came over to greet my wife, neice and I. He is a great guy with a warm heart. I asked him how he was and he said in a monotone voice, "It's OK"

I asked him what happened with his contract, "This is where I ended up." so I continued and asked him if that is what he wanted. "Just how things worked out". I asked if this is where he wanted to be and he said it wasn't where he wanted to sign. I guessed correctly--- he wanted to stay in Boston.

I am glad he's with the Mets because I still get too see him. Not going to game 2 because News expected Downpouring Rains and it looks decent outside now.

Tomorrow we are calling him at the hotel for tickets for game 3.

Sorry about my ramblings, just wanted to share my fun. For those interested Ifound a good website on Cliff-- a 14 year old made and I love it.

The First Cliff Floyd Website (http://www32.brinkster.com/nesc/floyd.htm)

Go Cliff!!!:clap2:

[Cyberlibrarian]

I find it interesting that you say he wanted to stay in Boston. Especially since I was under the impression that Boston didn't offer him anything because they knew he didn't want to stay. Besides, he signed with the Mets within hours of becoming a free agent. He can't hate it here THAT much.

[BroknArrw]

Cliff didn't say he hated it, NY has always been his favorite city to visit---so he likes the city. He wasn't happy with the offer that John Henry gave him--- I would guess thats more on the agents side.

Cliff took weeks to sign and not hours, most teams were watching to see what happened with Jim Thome. The owners were mostly in collussion this past winter as they didn't want salaries to get nuts.

Cliff is a great guy that had loyalty to John Henry since he got him in Florida and gave him his first big contract. I know Cliff wanted 10-12 Million a year which he could have got the year before, but todays market is different.

I have an understanding of Cliff and I am happy he stayed in NL. He will be OK.

[Nymet31]

Whatever the case may be on how Cliff made it to you Ny, I'm glad he's here. Though he may be sluggish right now, due to a injury, I think Cliff is a great ball player. I've heard stories before about him being a nice guy hopefully he gets everything together and has a great season.

[Cyberlibrarian]

I still remember this differently Arrow, so I did the research. It turns out we were both wrong. I am wrong in that Boston DID offer him arbitration, and you are wrong in that his decision to come to the Mets did not take weeks.

That said, I will point out that declining arbitration is not the best way to show someone you want to stay.

Take a look at these articles. They all say pretty much the same thing, namely that Cliff DID decline arbitration with Boston.

http://www.allsports.com/cgi-bin/showstory.cgi?story_id=37551

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/021223/28/r0xg.html

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/6041780

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-bbfloyd303194600mar30,0,1852279.story?coll=ny-mets-print

If you don't feel like reading them, I'll give you the "Cliff Notes" (tee hee) version: on Thursday, he declined arbitration from the Sox on Thursday. He signed with the Mets on Friday, passed the physical on Saturday and was introduced to the press on Monday.

That certainly doesn't sound like weeks to me. More like hours, which is what I said the first time.

:D

[BroknArrw]

The Free Agency period started long before Cliff signed. He didn't get offered arbitration and the next day say no. I believe it was about a 2 week period he had to decline. Other then Philly, agents were waiting for players to sign to set the bar.

Cliff wanted more money and expected John Henry to offer more and was insulted by the Sox offer. Now knowing arbitration and how they point out players flaws--its not friendly; why would you do that with someone you respect. (JohnHenry)

Seth Levinson had Cliffs name out there and there were a few teams interested, but like Boston; didn't pay what he felt he should get. Taking money from the Mets was settling because he wasn't going to get what he wanted where he wanted.

So signing a day after, was more the fact that a deal was in place already. Its like selling a house in a day. How can a house be listed and sold when there was never a chance for someone to look at it--unless there was a buyer looking in that area and an agent that knew that.

I am glad you reasearched everything, its a way to flex your muscle. I follow Cliff and was there the whole way. Rumors flurried every day from LA to ChiSox and that took more then 1 day. He knew he wasn't staying in Boston, but held out hope for a better offer that never came.

[Cyberlibrarian]

I happen to be a librarian. Research is how I make my living.